UK services output index: other service activities
UK services output index: other service activities stood at 99.2 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly GDP and output table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1997 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly GDP and output table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services output index by industry | |||||||||||
| S — Other service activities | 99.2 | 99.7 | 98.4 | 97.3 | 96.9 | 96.1 | 95.1 | 94.4 | 93.7 | 96.6 | |
| T — Households as employers of domestic personnel | 101.7 | 102.3 | 102.6 | 102.2 | 101.3 | 101.3 | 100.6 | 99.8 | 99.7 | 100.9 |
Understanding UK services output index: other service activities
The UK services output index: other service activities tracks monthly economic activity across the United Kingdom for Section S, encompassing membership organisations, trade unions, religious institutions, repair of computers and personal household goods, and personal service activities such as hairdressing, laundries, and funeral services. Unlike specialised professional consultancies or retail trade, this measure captures miscellaneous community, civic, and personal services not classified elsewhere. The scope explicitly excludes industrial machinery repairs, focusing exclusively on consumer-facing personal services and civic associations operating nationwide.
Interpreting this index requires recognising the fragmented nature of the sector, which consists largely of small independent sole traders and community associations. Early monthly estimates are particularly susceptible to revision as survey responses from smaller businesses take longer to compile. Month-on-month comparisons can be erratic due to local events or changing personal care habits, making quarter-on-quarter tracking more reliable for identifying broader trends. Analysts comparing this series with retail spending should note that personal services capture hands-on maintenance and social membership dues rather than merchandise purchases.
Frequently asked questions
- What specific personal services are included in this category?
- Hairdressing, beauty treatments, laundries, funeral services, computer repairs, and activities of trade unions and religious bodies.
- Are industrial machinery repair services covered here?
- No, heavy industrial and commercial machinery repairs are classified under manufacturing and production support rather than personal services.
- Why is this series subject to frequent data revisions?
- The high concentration of small businesses and sole traders means survey returns arrive slowly, necessitating later updates to preliminary figures.